Improvement in folding tables or stands for games



1. WHITCUMB.

Folding Tabies ar Stands for Games. N .151,25.

Patented May 26,1874.

mwmmq UNITED STATES PATENT Qrrron.

THOMAS J. VVHITCOMB, OF SPRINGFIELD, VERMONT.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No 15] ,259, dated May 26, 1874; application filed March 30, 1874.

To all whom itjnay concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS J. WHITOOMB, of Springfield, Windsor county, Vermont, have invented certain Improvements in Folding Tables or Stands for Games and analogous light purposes, of which the following is a specification:

The board which forms the top of the table may be a checker-board or backgammonboard,.or it may be a separate board provided for the purpose, if preferred. The stand is capable of being peculiarly folded. A central post, of any convenient length, carries at the top a stout center piece, with four arms hinged so that they can be folded upward, but not downward. Each arm is adapted to seize and hold firmly one corner of the board. The legs also fold into a small compass.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the table, with the board or top firmly mounted in postion for use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, with the top board removed. Fig. 3 is a View of the central portion, seen from below. Fig. 4 is a corresponding central vertical section through the upper portion of the post and adjacent parts; and Fig. 5 is a plan view of the upper portion of the post with the central screw in position, but with the top casting and connected arms removed.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts inall thefigures.

A is a central post, and B is a stout center piece, of malleable iron or other suitable material, fixed thereon. I will designate some of the parts of this casting B byB ,B &c. B B are cars or long lugs, adapted to receive the parallel portions of the arms G-between them. The armsG are hinged to the turned in the proper direction, and the plate 0, being raised or lowered a little, induces a correspondingly greater change of position of the other extremity of the arm.

.By this adjustment of the several arms 0 I can adapt the arms to different-sized boards within considerable limits. By thus adjusting only one of the arms 0 I can adapt the table to firmly support a board which is considerably warped. I have marked the board M, and have adapted the ends 0 of the several arms 0 each to embrace a corner thereof. I'can, if preferred, provide the arms 0 with pins matching into holes in the board M, instead of or additional to the V-shaped recesspieces 0 here represented.

I provide peculiarly-attached screws for further disconnecting the parts for shipping or close packing.

E is a piece of iron or steel, squared at or near its middle length, having a wood-screw thread cut on one end. This end is screwed tightly in a hole bored in the line of the axis of the post A. The portion which projects above and beyond the top of the post A is formed with ordinary metal screw-threads. The squared portion is secured against turning by a plate, F, fastened by screws f. It may be further secured by a cross key or nail driven through a hole in the wood-screw part of the iron E, if desired, at a lower level in the post..

The connection of the hinged legs H is made through the medium of a similar central iron, E, correspondingly threaded and secured. Upon this is screwed a ring or plate, A, carrying a casting, Gr, secured by screws or otherwise, and formed with ears, G, which support the legs H by means of bolts or rivets. The legs may fold together.into a small space, forming a continuation-of the central post, or may be expanded to form supports for the table.

I claim as my invention The adjustable folding arms 0 D, mounted on a central post, A, in combination with the devices G for taking hold of the board M, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereuntoset my hand this 21st day of March, 1874L,'i1i the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS J. WHITOOMB.

Witnesses:

RICHMOND J. KENNEY, SAML. W. PORTER. 

